Parkway road closure north of Asheville

A section of Blue Ridge Parkway from Milepost 376 at Ox Creek Road to Milepost 355, near the entrance to Mount Mitchell State Park, will close Nov. 12 to allow workers to stabilize a failed slope just north of Tanbark Ridge Tunnel at Milepost 374.

While alternate routes are available, the detour route marked with road signs directs traffic from Asheville, along Interstate 40 to U.S. 221, back to the Parkway at Spruce Pine, and alternately from Spruce Pine south to Asheville via U.S. 221 and Interstate 40. Mount Mitchell State Park will remain open and accessible from the northern approach along the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 330, near Spruce Pine, or from N.C. 80.

Parkway managers said the slope stabilization project was just too dangerous to allow motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists on the road. They ask that motorists stay alert, be aware of barrier signs and follow the signed detour to ensure optimal visitor safety.

The project is expected to be completed by late spring, with the Parkway open to all traffic during the 2014 summer visitor season.